MEMPHIS Tenn. — You could have one of Elvis Presley’s private planes. The “Lisa Marie” and “Hound Dog II” are being auctioned by California based Julien’s Auctions, the auction house for stars. The two planes have been on display at Elvis’ Memphis home, Graceland, for the past 30 years.
Elvis purchased the Convair 880 Jet from Delta Airlines in 1975 for $250,000. After re-outfitting it, the total exceeded $600,000. Elvis then immediately rechristened it the “Lisa Marie” in honor of his only daughter.
According to Julien’s Auctions, the “Lisa Marie” was used by Elvis for his exclusive and private air travel. The last flight the plane took was when it was used to take Priscilla Presley and Elvis’ friend George Hamilton from California to Elvis’ funeral. Elvis’ father sold the plane in 1978 and it changed hands twice; but was purchased by its present owners who to return it to Graceland. The auction company said the interior of the “Lisa Marie” is the original one Elvis had installed.
The “Hound Dog II” is a Lockheed JetStar. Elvis paid $900,000 for it in 1975 as well, while waiting for the “Lisa Marie” to be refurbished. The “Hound Dog II” was parked at Graceland in 1984 after the “Lisa Marie” arrived.
According to Julien’s Auctions, the operators of Graceland will not renew their Joint Venture Agreement with the owners of the two planes and have asked that they be removed from Graceland’s grounds by the end of April, 2015.
Both aircrafts are for display only, and cannot be flown.
Only sealed bids mailed to Julien’s Action will be accepted. For more information and an official bid form, which must be received by 5:00 p.m. PST on February 2, visit www.juliensauctions.com
